BOSTON , Massachusetts -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Hurricane Bill spun northward toward the New England coast Saturday with wind and rain as officials warned beach lovers to head indoors for the night .

Signs at Lighthouse Beach at Chatham , Massachusetts , warn beach-goers Saturday of rough waters .

At 11 p.m. , the center of the Category 1 storm was about 195 miles southeast of Nantucket , Massachusetts , the National Hurricane Center said . Forecasters said the island can expect 1 to 2 inches of rain , and Outer Cape Cod and Martha 's Vineyard may receive only an inch .

Swells as high as 19 feet are expected Monday night , Coast Guard Petty Officer Jordan Berryman told CNN in Chatham , Massachusetts .

`` It 's been generally calm but tonight we recommend that everybody stay off the beach , '' he said .

The storm continued its northerly pace of nearly 25 mph . A gradual change to the north-northeast is predicted for Sunday . Bill 's sustained winds remained at 100 mph , with higher gusts .

`` The surf is definitely big , '' Emily Chibaro of Nantucket told CNN Radio Saturday . `` The south shore part of the island is closed off to all people on the island . '' iReport.com : Are you bracing for Hurricane Bill ?

A gradual weakening is expected Saturday night and Sunday as the hurricane moves north of the Gulf Stream , a swift , warm Atlantic Ocean current .

The core of the storm should pass New England offshore Saturday night , and approach Nova Scotia on Sunday .

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said tropical-force winds from the outer bands of the storm were forecast to hit his state at 9 p.m. ET , earlier than expected . The speed of tropical-force winds range from 39 mph to 73 mph . Watch the waves crash on Massachusetts beach ''

A tropical storm warning was issued for the coast of Massachusetts from Woods Hole to Sagamore Beach , including the islands of Martha 's Vineyard and Nantucket .

The hurricane itself is predicted to stay offshore , the hurricane center said .

The most intense period of the storm should be between midnight and the predawn hours of Sunday , the governor told reporters in a conference call .

Patrick cautioned boaters to expect high seas and to avoid the area around Cape Cod . Forecasters have warned of dangerous riptides , or undertows , along the New England coast and points north .

`` Waters will be unsafe even for strong swimmers , '' the governor warned .

Rip currents , or riptides , are strong seaward flows of water that occur where there 's a break in the shoreline . They are difficult to detect . Watch CNN 's Bonnie Schneider talk about rip currents ''

Patrick said advisories will be posted , and beaches on the cape were closed . He urged residents to stay home .

President Obama and his family are scheduled to arrive Sunday for a vacation at Martha 's Vineyard .

`` We look forward to welcoming him to Massachusetts as soon as he can safely get here , '' Patrick said .

Hurricane Bill skirted Bermuda , leaving rain in its wake . The tropical storm warning for Bermuda was discontinued .

Canada 's weather service , Environment Canada , issued a tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches for parts of Nova Scotia . Watch how Nova Scotians are preparing for Bill ''

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 24 hours . A watch means conditions are expected to change within 36 hours .

Total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated amounts of 7 inches are expected near the track of Bill across Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland .

CNN 's Susan Candiotti and CNN Radio 's Brendan Gage contributed to this report .

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NEW : In Massachusetts , Coast Guard recommends `` everybody stay off the beach ''

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President Obama and family scheduled to arrive Sunday at Martha 's Vineyard

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Massachusetts governor : Intense weather expected overnight to Sunday morn

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Forecasters warn of dangerous riptides along New England coast and north